INDIANS
These are a very singular people. It is but a little more than two hundred years since all of our country, then a wilderness, was owned and occupied by them. They were once very numerous; but at present there are very few remaining. Those that we sometimes see in the country, make and repair many articles of domestic use, chiefly baskets, nets, and toys. They live much in by-lanes, and lodge under hedges and their blanket tents. The cut represents one of their camps. By the appearance we may judge that they are about preparing their supper. It must be a very uncomfortable mode of life.
What have you in your kettle, mother?
No doubt some savoury food or other;
Or is it coffee, tea, or water?
You do not speak, nor yet your daughter.
And so you’re cross, and turn’ your back:
Good manners then I’m sure you lack;
You are so queer, it makes me guess
You stole the kettle and the mess!
Young madam, does the dame require
That you should set your clothes on fire?
That is one way the flame to feed
And make the kettle boil indeed!
WATERING COWS
In some countries the scarcity of water is very great, and the poor cattle suffer dreadfully with thirst. Sometimes this is the case even here, and in dry. seasons our farmers have to drive their cattle many miles to drink. Cattle, when they get into a pond in hot weather, will often continue longer than the patience of their driver endures. They seem to know that he cannot follow them conveniently.
Now Brindle, now Dapple, this way, if you please,
And walk in the water just up to your knees;
But do not go deeper and break through the rails,
And lash me, and splash me again with your tails.
Now pray be contented in, quiet to drink:
There now, you have taken enough, I should think!
Oh dear! why how warm or how thirsty you are:
I could not drink as much in a month I declare
Now Brindle, now Dapple, this way, if you please;
You stare and you linger, determined to tease;
I really believe you continue to lag,
To make me plunge up to my knees on the nag.
So there! you are raising your noses at last,
And turning round towards me, tho’ not very fast;
You know I can drive you when once on the land,
Yes—that is‘a matter you well understand.